hi folks , im going to be buying an amp and speakers in a few months , but until then , would it be worth it , buying a decent set of headphones to use while watching blu-ray and dvd ?? the tv (g10) is ok , but obviously nothing like proper sound , would headphones be more enjoyable ??
would headphones be a stop gap to full surround sound ??
- Thread starter admin_exported
- Start date
scene
Well-known member
Headphones are great to listen to. They're not surround sound, but for a truly immersive experience, a good set of over-ear cans are hard to beat. I wouldn't see them as a "stop gap" but an alternative way of listening. On a price/performance basis, a good set of headphones probably delivers better quality sound than a set of speakers - but only really for hi-fi. There are some systems out there
that do "virtual" surround sound through headphones. In fact, good old Dolby to "Dolby Headphone" - click - that's supposed to give 5.1 surround with a set of headphones. Sony BDPs.do the same (mine does 7.1!) - funnily enough though I haven't tried it, as my senns pads have worn out!
Get headphones - yes. As a stop gap - no. Get a pair to enjoy going forward...
(P.S. how's the neck?)
that do "virtual" surround sound through headphones. In fact, good old Dolby to "Dolby Headphone" - click - that's supposed to give 5.1 surround with a set of headphones. Sony BDPs.do the same (mine does 7.1!) - funnily enough though I haven't tried it, as my senns pads have worn out!
Get headphones - yes. As a stop gap - no. Get a pair to enjoy going forward...
(P.S. how's the neck?)
thanks scene , if i did get 5.1 -7.1 headphones , im assuming i would need to connect them to the sony 360 blu-ray player ??
the neck is a bit better , i joined a gym , will be doing a bit of swimming , that should help , as will the compensation
thanks for asking ...
the neck is a bit better , i joined a gym , will be doing a bit of swimming , that should help , as will the compensation
scene
Well-known member
maxflinn:
thanks scene , if i did get 5.1 -7.1 headphones , im assuming i would need to connect them to the sony 360 blu-ray player ??
the neck is a bit better , i joined a gym , will be doing a bit of swimming , that should help , as will the compensation
thanks for asking ...
Max, glad to hear the neck's getting better.
Couple of things:
1. The BDP-s360 doesn't have a headphone socket - think that's one of the differences with the s760
2. You don;t need "5.1 - 7.1 headphones", I believe the s760's processing works with any headphone.
You can get 5.1/7.1 headphones, but I have no idea what they're like. Some manufacturers make headphones with virtual surround sound (i.e. Dolby Headphone) built in - these can be plugged in to any suitable amplifier (I believe).
thanks scene , if i did get 5.1 -7.1 headphones , im assuming i would need to connect them to the sony 360 blu-ray player ??
the neck is a bit better , i joined a gym , will be doing a bit of swimming , that should help , as will the compensation
Max, glad to hear the neck's getting better.
Couple of things:
1. The BDP-s360 doesn't have a headphone socket - think that's one of the differences with the s760
2. You don;t need "5.1 - 7.1 headphones", I believe the s760's processing works with any headphone.
You can get 5.1/7.1 headphones, but I have no idea what they're like. Some manufacturers make headphones with virtual surround sound (i.e. Dolby Headphone) built in - these can be plugged in to any suitable amplifier (I believe).
There's a post here on surround sound headphones
http://community.whathifi.com/forums/t/362954.aspx
I have a bedroom set-up and have no need or desire for a surround sound system. I had a look in to surround sound phones a couple of months ago and wasn't terribly impressed with what I read in view of the potential cost so I took it no further.
I run my BDP through my micro and use my headphones for late night viewing/listening and more than happy. However, just to mention that running my headphones straight from the TV is pure rubbish in comparison.
http://community.whathifi.com/forums/t/362954.aspx
I have a bedroom set-up and have no need or desire for a surround sound system. I had a look in to surround sound phones a couple of months ago and wasn't terribly impressed with what I read in view of the potential cost so I took it no further.
I run my BDP through my micro and use my headphones for late night viewing/listening and more than happy. However, just to mention that running my headphones straight from the TV is pure rubbish in comparison.
thanks guys , i didnt think id get great sound running the phones from the tv , i thought there may be another way to connect 5.1 phones to the bluray player , rather than the normal jack , if not , its a non runner ..
maxflinn:i thought there may be another way to connect 5.1 phones to the bluray player , rather than the normal jack , if not , its a non runner ..
Headphone amp?
Headphone amp?
maxflinn:i thought there may be another way to connect 5.1 phones to the bluray player , rather than the normal jack , if not , its a non runner ..
Headphone amp through the Audio Line Out?
Headphone amp through the Audio Line Out?
A headphone amp is a seperate, very small amplifier used solely for driving a pair of headphones.
Typically these are used in set-ups where a) you want to improve the sound quality of the existing headphone jack output (like me), or b), where there is no headphone jack (as with your Sony BDP).
These can be bought for a matter of pounds off flea bay, or many hundreds of pounds for high end audio (not that you're going down that route!) You simply need 2 interconnects to connect from the Audio Line Out on your BDP to the headphone amp, plug your headphones in to the amp and your away!
Typically these are used in set-ups where a) you want to improve the sound quality of the existing headphone jack output (like me), or b), where there is no headphone jack (as with your Sony BDP).
These can be bought for a matter of pounds off flea bay, or many hundreds of pounds for high end audio (not that you're going down that route!) You simply need 2 interconnects to connect from the Audio Line Out on your BDP to the headphone amp, plug your headphones in to the amp and your away!
ah thats great sizzers , thanks ... i wonder if anyone has any suggestions for a decent set of headphones ?? idc , you is the headphones king
Well he would be the man to see! lol.
Suggest you drop him a line in the "Headphones" sub-forum in the "Hi-Fi" section. I've no idea what your budget is but he'll give you some good suggestions for a headphone amp/phones combo.
Suggest you drop him a line in the "Headphones" sub-forum in the "Hi-Fi" section. I've no idea what your budget is but he'll give you some good suggestions for a headphone amp/phones combo.
idc
Well-known member
scene:
Headphones are great to listen to. They're not surround sound, but for a truly immersive experience, a good set of over-ear cans are hard to beat. I wouldn't see them as a "stop gap" but an alternative way of listening. On a price/performance basis, a good set of headphones probably delivers better quality sound than a set of speakers - but only really for hi-fi.....
I 100% agree with scene on this one. What would suit you best? Wireless? Open backed headphones that leak sound so would annoy anyone else in the room but have a more open sound stage?
I am going to try my FiiO amp and various headphones out of my TV to see what I think. I'll post back in a day or so.
Headphones are great to listen to. They're not surround sound, but for a truly immersive experience, a good set of over-ear cans are hard to beat. I wouldn't see them as a "stop gap" but an alternative way of listening. On a price/performance basis, a good set of headphones probably delivers better quality sound than a set of speakers - but only really for hi-fi.....
I 100% agree with scene on this one. What would suit you best? Wireless? Open backed headphones that leak sound so would annoy anyone else in the room but have a more open sound stage?
I am going to try my FiiO amp and various headphones out of my TV to see what I think. I'll post back in a day or so.
idc:scene:
Headphones are great to listen to. They're not surround sound, but for a truly immersive experience, a good set of over-ear cans are hard to beat. I wouldn't see them as a "stop gap" but an alternative way of listening. On a price/performance basis, a good set of headphones probably delivers better quality sound than a set of speakers - but only really for hi-fi.....
I 100% agree with scene on this one. What would suit you best? Wireless? Open backed headphones that leak sound so would annoy anyone else in the room but have a more open sound stage?
I am going to try my FiiO amp and various headphones out of my TV to see what I think. I'll post back in a day or so.
thanks idc , i dont care about leaking sound , ill be on my own while listening , i was hoping not to have to spend too much , maybe e150 .. thanks ...
Headphones are great to listen to. They're not surround sound, but for a truly immersive experience, a good set of over-ear cans are hard to beat. I wouldn't see them as a "stop gap" but an alternative way of listening. On a price/performance basis, a good set of headphones probably delivers better quality sound than a set of speakers - but only really for hi-fi.....
I 100% agree with scene on this one. What would suit you best? Wireless? Open backed headphones that leak sound so would annoy anyone else in the room but have a more open sound stage?
I am going to try my FiiO amp and various headphones out of my TV to see what I think. I'll post back in a day or so.
thanks idc , i dont care about leaking sound , ill be on my own while listening , i was hoping not to have to spend too much , maybe e150 .. thanks ...
idc
Well-known member
I make that £134 so I am going with (and without) the Fiio and Goldring NS1000 or Grado SR80 and see which sounds best to my ears and why.
Just a thought Idc but Max wants to hook it up through his BDP and not the TV?
Can more than strongly recommend the Grado's (they're brilliant cans, and so much better than whatever Senns I had before), and a great combo with my Head Box but rather over your budget.
As much as I love this set-up with my music, though, I do have a problem watching movies with headphones. Maybe it's just me , but I feel "disconnected" watching a movie 6' away with the sound going directly in to my ears. Don't have much choice after about 10 o'clock though!
Can more than strongly recommend the Grado's (they're brilliant cans, and so much better than whatever Senns I had before), and a great combo with my Head Box but rather over your budget.
As much as I love this set-up with my music, though, I do have a problem watching movies with headphones. Maybe it's just me , but I feel "disconnected" watching a movie 6' away with the sound going directly in to my ears. Don't have much choice after about 10 o'clock though!
idc
Well-known member
I can only connect headphones to the TV (Sony Bravia). I listened to BBC news, then found adverts and then various music channels. First I tried and then ditched the FiiO amp as it made a bizzing noise. The amp in the TV was able to drive even the Goldrings to very loud, but to get a decent volume I needed to double the TV volume from normal listening. So be careful when Unplugging or neighbours will get a blast of high volume TV!.
As for sound, well really it was terrible.The adverts came out best with the greatest stereo effects and clearest sound. The news sounded odd. You know when they don't have a presenter mic'd up properly and they sound tinny and in a big room, that is how both headphones made all of the sound. Music was awful. Compressed, little dynamics, no soundstage. That is no substitute for surround sound listening.
Goinf back to my usual setup and the idea of surround sound was far clearer. Music is all around me, moving about inside my head and all enveloping. I got nothing like that from the TV.
Between the Grados and the Goldrings I would go with the Grados for the TV. They coped much better with compressed music. (It is clear to me now, that The PussyCat Dolls are there to be looked at and not heard.)
I did not bother with a DVD as it would come out through the same headphone socket on the TV.
I also found the cable annoying, it was tugging as I cobbled together an extension which was quite a weight. The Grados win out with a three metre cable over the Goldrings pathetic one. If you need an extension I would go to ThatCable on ebay and get the Loops extension which is about £15 for 5 metres and it is very well made.
To be honest, if I needed headphones for the TV I would look to the specific TV wireless headphones from the likes of Phillips and Sennheiser. I felt hifi headphones are just wasted out of a TV.
Sorry!
As for sound, well really it was terrible.The adverts came out best with the greatest stereo effects and clearest sound. The news sounded odd. You know when they don't have a presenter mic'd up properly and they sound tinny and in a big room, that is how both headphones made all of the sound. Music was awful. Compressed, little dynamics, no soundstage. That is no substitute for surround sound listening.
Goinf back to my usual setup and the idea of surround sound was far clearer. Music is all around me, moving about inside my head and all enveloping. I got nothing like that from the TV.
Between the Grados and the Goldrings I would go with the Grados for the TV. They coped much better with compressed music. (It is clear to me now, that The PussyCat Dolls are there to be looked at and not heard.)
I did not bother with a DVD as it would come out through the same headphone socket on the TV.
I also found the cable annoying, it was tugging as I cobbled together an extension which was quite a weight. The Grados win out with a three metre cable over the Goldrings pathetic one. If you need an extension I would go to ThatCable on ebay and get the Loops extension which is about £15 for 5 metres and it is very well made.
To be honest, if I needed headphones for the TV I would look to the specific TV wireless headphones from the likes of Phillips and Sennheiser. I felt hifi headphones are just wasted out of a TV.
Sorry!
hi idc , thanks very much for taking the time to try that out , as i said , i will be getting an amp and speakers , or even a soundbar , so it would only have been a temporary solution ..
as you have demonstrated , i would probably need to spend more money than e150 to achieve worthwhile sound using headphones , so seeing as it would be temporary , id be better keeping the dough for the real deal , thanks again
as you have demonstrated , i would probably need to spend more money than e150 to achieve worthwhile sound using headphones , so seeing as it would be temporary , id be better keeping the dough for the real deal , thanks again
idc
Well-known member
Definitely max. I would consider something like the Q Accoustic TV2 or a couple of PC speakers as more of stop gap than headphones.
yea , as sizzers said , headphones may feel weird for movies anyway , they are for music really , my little £30 from fleabay creative mp3 player does that job for me when im walking the mutts and in the gym , ill wait and do things properly
Similar threads
TRENDING THREADS
-
-
-
Is hi-fi really getting better? Our technical editor ponders its progression- Started by What Hi-Fi?
- Replies: 16
-
Integrated amplifier with HDMI arc and self turning on on Optical input
- Started by sirfabio
- Replies: 2
-
-
-
Remote Control not able to access alpha letters only numbers Help please?
- Started by AntH
- Replies: 3
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram